Japan has announced new assistance of USD 5 million to a project entitled “Improving Economic Growth in the Western Region of Afghanistan through Community Irrigation and Livelihood Enhancement” implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The project is aimed to support three major components 1) improved watershed management; 2) water management improvements for efficient water delivery services for agriculture; and 3) community-based training on sustainable agricultural livelihoods. In total, 58,000 people are expected to benefit from the project, which is designed notably to address several priorities outlined in the Afghanistan National Peace & Development Framework.

The agreement was signed at the Embassy of Japan in Kabul on August 29, 2018 by H.E. Mr. Mitsuji SUZUKA, Ambassador of Japan, and Mr. Tomio SHICHIRI, FAO Representative in Afghanistan. The gathering for this agreement was attended by H.E Mr. Hamdullah HAMDARD, Acting Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Livestock Affairs, of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).

Mr. Tomio Shichiri, FAO Representative said that “all three components of the project will be implemented using a participatory approach, and close collaboration with the local communities, provincial-level ministry staffs, and FAO technical experts will be essential to its success. The project will strengthen food security and improve livelihood options for the people of Afghanistan using a community mobilization approach modeled upon the successful Gamberi Green Ground Project in Nangarhar which is initiated by Dr. Nakumura, Representative of a NGO based in Japan. This new project will build community resilience against climatic events, such as the current drought, in order to support both livelihoods and long-term economic growth in Afghanistan.”

H.E. Mr. Mitsuji Suzuka, Ambassador of Japan, remarked, “Japan has always endeavored to contribute to the growth of agriculture and livestock in Afghanistan. According to the findings of this year's campaign in Afghanistan, farmers have been faced with severe food shortages, in particular the food catastrophe that has come as a result of reduced wheat production and livestock loss. In order to prevent food shortages and provide solutions in the medium and long term, it is very important to develop a system that constantly generates and distributes food. The construction of irrigation networks and utilization of aquifers through this project will enable farmers to maximize the use of limited water resources and, simultaneously, provide farmers with an agricultural processing system that transforms wheat into other value-added products. When the positive and effective effects of this technology are accepted, we can extend this project to other areas so that farmers can live more safely. The goal of Japan's assistance in cooperation with an international organization that has expertise in this field is not only to develop agricultural products but also to improve farmers work and move towards self-resilience in Afghanistan.”

Japan has been assisting Afghanistan’s nation-building efforts in various fields including security, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, human resource development, education, health, culture and humanitarian assistance. The cumulative Japanese assistance to Afghanistan since 2001 amounts to approximately $6.6 billion.